Kentucky Psychology Licensure Requirements

If you are interested in becoming a psychologist in Kentucky, you will need to meet all of the requirements set forth by the Board of Examiners of Psychology (the Board), the state organization that oversees psychology licensure. These requirements include earning a doctoral degree in psychology, completing a certain number of supervised work hours, passing three exams, and submitting an application to the Board. Because there are many steps to becoming a licensed psychologist in Kentucky, we’ve prepared this guide to walk you through each part of the process.

Table of Contents

• How to Become a Licensed Psychologist
• Licensure by Reciprocity
• License Renewal and Continuing Education
• Related Licenses
• Jobs and Salary Information
• Additional Resources
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Become a Psychologist in Kentucky

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree and (optionally) a master’s degree in psychology.

The first step to becoming a psychologist is to earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject. You aren’t required to study psychology at this stage. However, if you major in another subject, you may need to complete prerequisites before entering a graduate program. Bachelor’s degrees generally take four years of full-time study (about 120 credit hours) to complete.

After you complete your bachelor’s degree, you may choose to complete a master’s degree in psychology. This isn’t a required step, and you may earn a master’s degree while you’re enrolled in your doctoral program. However, a stand-alone master’s degree in psychology can be a helpful option if you didn’t study psychology for your bachelor’s degree or if you’d like more experience to make sure psychology is the right path for you. Although requirements vary between programs, master’s degrees in psychology typically take about two years (30 to 40 credit hours) to finish.

Another reason to get your master’s in psychology in Kentucky is that you can become licensed as a Psychological Associate with a master’s, which allows you to practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

2. Earn a doctoral degree in psychology.

When you’ve finished your bachelor’s degree (and, optionally, a master’s degree), the next step towards becoming a psychologist in Kentucky is to earn a doctoral degree in psychology. There are three degrees that will qualify you to become a psychologist in Kentucky: a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Psychology, or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). Completing a PhD, an EdD, or a PsyD usually takes four to seven years, depending on the requirements of the program you attend. For more information on the differences between PsyD and PhD degrees, review our comparison of these options.

In Kentucky, you must earn your doctorate from an accredited program in clinical, counseling, school, or industrial/organizational psychology that meets the Board’s coursework requirements. Programs outside industrial/organizational psychology must include six graduate semester hours of practica, with three graduate credit hours in psychotherapy, counseling, or intervention and three graduate credit hours in assessment. The program must also include a predoctoral internship of at least 1,800 hours that includes at least 100 hours of supervision sessions. This will be applied to the supervised experience required for full licensure.

Visit our Psychology Schools in Kentucky page for more information about programs to consider.

3. Submit an application to the Board for a temporary license.

The first step in the licensure process is to complete and submit an Application for Licensure as a Psychologist through the Department of Professional Licensing online portal. If you haven’t yet completed all of your supervised professional hours, you can apply for a temporary license through the same portal.

In addition to completing the application, you’ll need to include three letters of recommendation from people who can attest to your work within the past five years (at least two of these letters must come from individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology) and a $150 application review fee. The Board charges a $150 fee for the state jurisprudence and competency exams. You’ll also need to have your undergraduate and graduate transcripts sent to the Board.

Once your application has been approved by the Board, you’ll be issued a temporary license. This will allow you to finish earning your supervised hours (if needed) and take the exams required for licensure.

4. Gain two years of supervised professional experience in your area of training.

In Kentucky, you must complete at least two years (3,600 hours) of supervised professional experience to be granted a license to practice psychology. At least 50% of these hours must come from activities related to providing services (e.g., intervention, note-writing, case presentations). While you’re earning these hours, you must receive supervision from a licensed psychologist with the health service provider (HSP) designation.

You must earn 1,800 of your supervised experience hours in the required predoctoral internship. At least 450 of these internship hours (25%) must come from face-to-face contact with patients. You must also receive at least two hours of supervision and two hours of didactic experiences per week. The remaining 1,800 hours can come from any combination of predoctoral and postdoctoral experience. Any experiences applied towards these hours must include training in clinical skills, legal and ethical issues, and supervision.

If you’re planning to complete any supervised experience hours under your temporary license, you and your supervisor must first submit a Supervisory Plans and Goals form through your Board eServices online account and wait for approval before you begin practicing. You’ll need at least one hour of supervision per week. Your supervisor must also submit a Supervisory Report through eServices every six months. Supervised experience hours accrued while you’re still a graduate student don’t require these forms.

5. Pass the Kentucky psychology licensing exams.

When the Board issues your temporary license, they’ll grant you permission to take the exams required for licensure. The first test you’ll need to take is the national Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The EPPP is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and consists of 225 multiple-choice questions. You must earn a scaled score of 500 or higher to pass. The ASPPB also offers EPPP practice exams. You must take the EPPP within one year of the Board’s approval of your temporary license.

After you’ve passed the EPPP, the Board will provide you with instructions on taking the two state exams. Scheduling happens only after the Board confirms you’ve completed your supervised experience.

The first state exam is a test on the rules and regulations related to mental health practice in Kentucky. You must earn a score of 80% or higher to pass. The second is a competency exam on ethical principles and professional practice. Two licensed psychologists approved by the Board proctor this exam, and you must score 100% to pass.

6. Request your full psychology license.

Once the Board has received proof that you’ve completed all of the requirements, you’ll be required to pay a $795 initial licensure fee, which covers your first three years, to receive your full license.

Kentucky Licensure by Reciprocity

If you’re licensed as a psychologist in another state, you may be eligible for a psychology license in Kentucky through reciprocity. To be eligible for licensure by reciprocity, you must have been practicing under your current license for at least five years, have no disciplinary history, and either be certified by the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (NRHSP), have a Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ) from the ASPPB, or have a certificate from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

If you meet these criteria, you can submit an Application for Licensure as a Psychologist by Reciprocity through the Department of Professional Licensing online portal along with the $150 application fee. After your application is reviewed, you’ll also need to take the two state exams before being granted your license.

If you’ve been practicing for at least five years and don’t have a CPQ or a certificate from the National Register or ABPP, you can still apply for a Kentucky license. To do this, you’ll complete the Application for Licensure as a Psychologist Licensed in Another State through the same online portal and pay the application fee. The Board will review your education and experience and determine whether you’re eligible for a psychology license in Kentucky. If they believe that you meet the criteria for licensure, you’ll be invited take the state exams.

License Renewal and Continuing Education

After the Board issues your license, you’ll need to keep it active by renewing it every three years. Each renewal period ends three years after your license was first issued or last renewed. All renewal forms must be submitted before these dates to avoid additional fees.

To be eligible for license renewal, you’ll need to complete 39 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period. You can consult the Board’s lists of approved CE activities.

If you want to attend a program that isn’t on these lists, you can request approval in advance by completing the Continuing Education Program Application and paying a $50 fee at least 30 days before the program. Graduate psychology courses can also be counted towards CE requirements.

The Board also has some requirements regarding the content of CE activities. During every renewal period, licensed psychology providers must complete at least three CE hours in ethical practice or risk management. Each period must also include at least three hours on social and cultural factors that affect health, functioning, and quality of life. If you hold the HSP designation and supervise others, at least three hours must cover supervision theory or techniques. Finally, all licensed providers must complete six CE hours in suicide assessment, treatment, and management within their first year of licensure and every six years after that.

Once you’ve completed the required CE, you can apply to renew your license through the Kentucky Department of Professional Licensing online portal. You’ll need to pay a $795 renewal fee when you complete the required forms.

Related Licenses

Health Service Provider (HSP)

Kentucky offers a Health Service Provider (HSP) designation, which allows the holder to provide supervision to trainees and licensed psychological associates.

You can qualify for the HSP designation in one of two ways. The first is to complete an additional 1,800 hours of supervised experience in a health care setting, beyond the 3,600 hours required for licensure. You can complete these hours while you hold your temporary license or you can earn them after you’ve become a licensed psychologist. The second is to hold a CPQ, an ABPP certification, or an NRHSP certification, and accrue at least five years of independent practice with no disciplinary history.

You must have a Supervisory Plans and Goals form approved by the Board, and your supervisor must periodically submit a Supervisory Report. You both submit these forms through the Board’s eServices portal. Once you’ve completed these requirements, you can contact the Board to request the HSP designation.

Psychological Associate

If you’d like to practice with a master’s degree, you can become licensed as a psychological associate. To qualify, you must have attended an accredited psychology program that includes 600 hours of supervised experience and meets certain coursework requirements. To apply, you’ll need to submit an Application for Licensure as a Psychological Associate through the online portal, three letters of recommendation (at least two from doctoral-level psychologists), and the $150 application fee.

You’ll also need to take the EPPP and earn a score of at least 400. After you pass, you’ll pay a $525 initial license fee that covers three years. Once issued, the psychological associate license allows you to practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist.

Psychological Practitioner

After two full-time years of supervised practice as a psychological associate (not counting time under a temporary license), you can apply for licensure as a psychological practitioner. This license will allow you to complete some work independently without supervision. You need at least 60 semester hours of graduate study in psychology or a related field to qualify for this license.

To convert your license from psychological associate to psychological practitioner, you’ll need to complete the Application for Licensure as a Psychological Practitioner through your Board eServices online account and submit three letters of recommendation (one must be from your current supervisor). The initial license fee is $795. You’ll also need to earn a 500 or higher on the EPPP (if your previous score met this requirement, you don’t have to retake the exam) and pass the two state exams for psychologists.

School Psychologist

In Kentucky, school psychologists earn certification from the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). To qualify for the Standard Certificate for School Psychologist, you must complete an approved school psychology program at an institution that follows the training standards of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). You must also pass the state-required certification exam. Holding the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential offers an alternative route.

The standard certificate is valid for five years. You can apply through the Kentucky Educator Certification System.

If you’ve finished an approved program and passed the required exam, your preparing institution can recommend you for a one-year Provisional Certificate for School Psychologist. This certificate lets you complete your internship while working in a public school, either full-time for one school year or half-time over two consecutive school years. It may be renewed for one additional year if you serve half-time. The standard certificate doesn’t cover private practice outside of school settings. To practice outside schools, you’ll need a separate credential, such as a psychological associate license.

Kentucky Psychologist Jobs and Salary Information

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2021, the average annual salary for a psychologist in Kentucky, excluding postsecondary psychology teachers, was $87,197.¹ Specifically, the average salary for clinical and counseling psychologists was $96,290, for school psychologists it was $67,930, for postsecondary psychology teachers in Kentucky the average salary was $63,940 per year, and for psychologists in the “all other” category it was $97,370.¹

If you are planning to apply to psychologist jobs in Kentucky, know that the number of positions is expected to increase by an average of 5.6% between 2020 and 2030.² The outlook is especially good for counseling, clinical, and school psychology positions and industrial-organizational psychology positions, which are expected to rise by 8.4% and 8.3%, respectively.² Psychology jobs in the “all other” category are expected to decrease by 1.6% during this time period and postsecondary psychology teacher positions are expected to increase by 7.1%.²

Additional Resources

• Kentucky Association for Psychology in the Schools (KAPS): State organization for school psychologists that provides educational resources and holds an annual conference.
• Kentucky Psychological Association (KPA): State organization with resources (including CE opportunities) for all types of psychologists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become a psychologist in Kentucky?

Becoming a psychologist in Kentucky involves a number of different steps, including completing a doctoral degree in psychology, passing three exams, and earning a certain number of supervised hours. Completing all of these steps usually takes about 10 years. However, this amount of time can vary based on factors such as your school’s requirements and when you earn your supervised hours.

What degree do I need to be a licensed psychologist in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, you can earn a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in psychology, or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) to be qualified to become licensed. Additionally, you must earn your degree from a psychology program that is regionally accredited, includes three semesters of practicum work, meets the Board’s coursework requirements, and involves a 1,800-hour internship.

Does Kentucky require supervised postdoctoral hours to become licensed?

Unlike many other states, Kentucky does not require that any of your supervised professional experience be completed after you have finished your doctoral degree. However, if you have not completed all 3,600 required hours by the time you graduate or if you are planning to pursue designation as a health service provider, you will need to complete some postdoctoral SPE hours.

References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Kentucky: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/2100000
2. Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm